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enWhy you should forget everything you think you know about Man City’s central midfieldManuel Pellegrinis side have been accused of having a soft centre at the worst moments this season, but Sam Polak points out that might not always be the caseSam Polakhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-you-should-forget-everything-you-think-you-know-about-man-citys-central-midfield
In a game where Joe Hart saved a Zlatan Ibrahimovic penalty, David Luiz was booked within the first 30 seconds and five yellows followed during the 90 minutes, it’s hard to imagine that the most influential part of the game was in fact how Manchester City’s midfielders defended.
And yet, this was very much the case.
According to Stats Zone, PSG had twice as much possession as City. So it would be logical to see this as a game where the French side dictated the flow of the game.
However, the vast majority of the match’s pivotal moments came about as a result of how City’s midfielders defended. Whether there was a quality opportunity for either side, most chances had City’s midfielder’s defensive efforts – for better or worse, at their core.
Less is more
Before examining how exactly this played out, there is a deeper pattern that Manchester City preserved through their performance in this Champions League bout that has to be discussed.
Dating back to December, Manuel Pellegrini’s side have played in 10 matches where their opposition is either currently one of the other top five Premier League teams (Leicester, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester United) or competing in the Champions League (Dynamo Kiev, PSG).
In the six matches that City had at least half of the possession (averaging about 58%), they lost four times with a goal difference of -5. But in the four matches where City controlled under half of the possession (averaging 41%), Pellegrini’s side lost only once and had a goal difference of just -1.
This is a perplexing realisation as Manchester City’s midfield, in particular the central midfielders, have been criticised for being too lax defensively during the course of this season.
The reality, though, is that in big games when the team has had to defend more than their opponent, they have achieved better results. In particular, as played out in Paris when the game was dictated by the defensive diligence of Manchester City’s midfielders (Fernando’s first-half brain fart aside), the English side can hold their own against top-quality opponents.
Graft leads to craft
So how does this make any sense? To better understand how City consistently do better when they defend more, consider a couple of moments where the midfield line of Jesus Navas, David Silva, Fernando and Fernandinho created a dynamic that forced PSG to hold the ball on City’s terms.
The GIF below shows one of many instances that Pellegrini’s side had four players between the ball and their backline, inherently making it difficult for PSG to them break down. But moreover, the four midfielders were compact and balanced.
From this shape, City were able to work collectively to find a way nick the ball off Ibrahimovic’s foot.
This defensive effort in fact led to a dangerous counter-attack that culminated in Navas playing a good ball to Silva for a header on goal.
In the next example, although PSG gave the ball away carelessly, that shouldn’t take anything away from the four City midfielders’ alert defending. They were again disciplined in their defensive shape and the central midfielders, Fernando and Fernandinho, were particularly sharp in recovering possession of the ball.
This sequence actually led to City’s first goal of the match.
Even at times when the former Premier League champions weren’t as organised as the previous two examples, the midfielders showed excellent desire to win the ball back and challenge PSG’s players.
Consider the scene below. First, Fernando made a great tackle against the crafty Angel Di Maria. Silva followed up with another solid win in a 1-vs-1 battle, giving City an opportunity to move forward with the ball.
This duo of individual efforts was in actuality the prelude to their second goal, and was just another example of them making it difficult for PSG to play the way they may have wanted to.
Conversely, in this last sequence, what started off as an organised defensive midfield line quickly dissolved into chaos. As City’s defensive structure came apart at the seams, PSG played a fine pass that forced the four City midfielders to all run back toward their own goal. This development led to a PSG corner, where they would then net their second goal of the match.
In the clip above, it’s again confirmed that the momentum in this game swayed one way or another based on how well City’s midfield was able to establish themselves defensively at any given time.
Regardless of which team benefited, each of these instances – and many more – all stemmed from the same cause. City put together a better game when they allow teams like PSG to have more of the the ball, but do so in a way where the situations their opponents have possession can be controlled.
Pep’s turn
So where does this leave Manchester City in the immediate and distant future?
Short-term, they have a much better chance than most people are giving them at knocking out PSG in the next leg and moving on in the Champions League.
But perhaps even more interesting is that this is maybe a glimpse into what they will look like next season.
With the likely departure of Yaya Toure, who missed the PSG first leg through injury, and arrival of Pep Guardiola – an expert in counter-attacking football from managing in Germany, where that style of football is particularly prevalent – perhaps this is just the fluid style of play where the line between attack and defence begins to blur and could lead City towards a brighter future.
More features every day on FFT.com• More Man City
featureFri, 08 Apr 2016 15:55:56 +0000Alasdair Mackenzie556603 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comHowe: City were better in all areasManchester City ran out 4-0 winners at AFC Bournemouth to leave home boss Eddie Howe lamenting his side's habit of conceding early goals.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/howe-city-were-better-all-areas
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe reflected on a clinical display of quality from Manchester City after Manuel Pellegrini's side ran out 4-0 winners at the Vitality Stadium.
City's Premier League title challenge has faded over recent weeks after a run of one win in six matches prior to Saturday's clash, but the League Cup winners were galvanised by the return of Belgium international star Kevin De Bruyne from a knee injury.
After Fernando's seventh-minute opener, De Bruyne volleyed a brilliant second and was involved in most of City's eye-catching forward play - including threading the pass for Jesus Navas to cross and Sergio Aguero to effectively end the contest after 19 minutes.
Howe praised Bournemouth's commitment to avoiding further damage until De Bruyne's replacement, Aleksandar Kolarov, added a fourth deep into stoppage time.
"Any defeat is a difficult one to take, certainly when you concede like we did in the first half," How told a post-match news conference.
"It was a tough afternoon and I think when you go 3-0 down so early in the game it's very difficult to react in that moment.
"We hung in there, we didn't let our heads drop and that's the positive from the day.
"It was a mixture of a good performance from them and us not being quite right. They showed their quality."
Howe lamented his side's vulnerability in terms of conceding early goals, having suffered a similar fate in the 3-0 defeat to high flying Tottenham and when City dealt out a 5-1 beating at the Etihad Stadium in October.
"The game becomes very, very difficult because they're so good at keeping the ball and your players are, naturally, slightly deflated," he added.
"It's been a difficult two games and we need to learn from that.
"The first goal really is poorly executed corner. We didn't deal with the first ball and the lad's hooked it in.
"In goals two and three they showed real class, showed the individual players that they've got are of a very high quality. They took the goals very well.
"We got into some good moments ourselves during the match and didn't show the same ruthlessness they did.
"I think in all areas they were better than us. We have to accept that. They're the team that we want to become."
news_articleSat, 02 Apr 2016 16:59:27 +0000Anonymous553978 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAFC Bournemouth 0 Manchester City 4: Brilliant De Bruyne inspires City on returnGoals from Fernando, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Aleksandar Kolarov gave Manchester City a 4-0 victory at AFC Bournemouth.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/afc-bournemouth-0-manchester-city-4-brilliant-de-bruyne-inspires-city-return
Kevin De Bruyne dazzled on a goalscoring comeback as Manchester City eased to a 4-0 Premier League win at AFC Bournemouth.
Before the match, Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe spoke of the lessons learned by his side since they conceded twice inside 11 minutes to lose 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium in October.
But City caught them cold once more, striking three times before the 19-minute mark, with De Bruyne to the fore on his first appearance since he suffered medial knee ligament damage during January's League Cup semi-final tie against Everton.
Fernando's first goal of the season got Manuel Pellegrini's much-criticised team up and running, while two and three came from more familiar sources.
De Bruyne combined brilliantly with David Silva and Sergio Aguero to score for the 13th time this term before the latter headed his 22nd in all competitions this season.
City wrapped up the win with a rasping Aleksandar Kolarov strike in injury time.
They sit three points ahead of West Ham in fourth and will look ruefully upon the run of two wins from seven matches without De Bruyne that all but ended their Premier League title ambitions.
Lewis Grabban and Eunan O'Kane replaced the injured Benik Afobe and Harry Arter in the Bournemouth line-up.
De Bruyne returned as one of five changes to the City side that lost 1-0 to United in the Manchester derby.
Josh King pulled a shot across the face of goal on the end of a fifth-minute Bournemouth counter-attack but Willy Caballero, deputising for calf-injury victim Joe Hart in the City goal, was a virtual spectator as his team-mates ran riot during the opening stages.
Fernando reacted quickest to guide Jesus Navas' deflected seventh-minute corner into the net and De Bruyne's revitalising impact on a City attack without a goal in their previous three outings was already clear by the time he added a spectacular second.
Silva darted on to Aguero's chipped pass and cushioned a first-time flick for De Bruyne to fire home a volley on the edge of the box.
The Belgium international might have doubled his tally when he lashed a shot over following slick interplay down the left from Silva and Gael Clichy, but Aguero was on hand to pile further misery on Howe's side.
Navas dug out an excellent cross from the right byline for the Argentina striker to muscle above Adam Smith and head in at the far post.
Fernandinho rattled Artur Boruc's crossbar with a vicious dipping drive before Caballero was finally called into action, making a sharp reaction save to deny Charlie Daniels.
Within a minute of the restart, Boruc saved brilliantly when De Bruyne showed exquisite technique to arrow a volley towards the bottom corner.
The former Wolfsburg man continued to impress before making way for Kolarov to a warm ovation in the 57th-minute.
O'Kane dragged a shot wide as he sought a consolation for Bournemouth, who are now 13th and 11 points above third-bottom Sunderland,
Kolarov linked up with Samir Nasri - making his first appearance since October due to injury - to dart through a flagging Bournemouth defence and rifle number four with the game's final act.
But it is De Bruyne's re-emergence that will leave City in buoyant mood ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final trip to Paris Saint-Germain.
news_articleSat, 02 Apr 2016 16:04:58 +0000Anonymous553924 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comIn the mag: Alli, Mahrez, Payet & Bellerin! Solskjaer One-on-One! Vieira on NYCFC!Get your hands on the latest edition of FourFourTwo,available from Wednesday March 2in print,oniPadandiPhone...http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/mag-alli-mahrez-payet-bellerin-solskjaer-one-one-vieira-nycfc
If you're looking for interviews, you've come to the right place.FourFourTwo has been busy this month. Very busy. It's our special intervieweditionandwe have exclusives with morethan 50 players new and old. Yes,you heard that right, more than 50.
Our cover feature is with Europe's hottest young player right now - and the good news is he's English. We sit down with Dele Alli tofind out how the shoo-in for Premier League Young Player of the Year rose fromLeague One to a title challenge with Tottenham Hotspurin under a year. Next stop: France and a key role for England at Euro 2016. The 19-year-old also tells us aboutTHAT goal at Crystal Palace, sin bins at MK Dons, his attempts to cook scrambled eggsand his love for Stevie G.
But it doesn't end there: we've spoken to three more players who have alsotaken the Premier League by storm this season. Leicester City'sRiyad Mahrezmeets Filbert Fox for a FourFourTwophotoshoot before telling us why he thought Leicester were a rugby club when they first tried to sign him.
West Ham United's new heroDimitri Payet sends chills down FFT's spine bywarning us about histemperamental side, while speedster Hector Bellerin talks Arsenal before turningto the important matters of the day - fish and chips,clowns and why dolphins are better than sharks.He's from Barcelona.
This month's One-on-Oneis with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as FFT headed to Norway to catch up with Manchester United's Champions Leaguehero of 1999, now back in his homeland for a second spell as manager of Molde. Does he mind being called a super-sub? Why didFergie piss him off just minutes before that famous goal against Bayern Munich in Camp Nou?Did he reallysing a song abouta fox to endear himself to Cardiff City's players?And would he rather play for Louis van Gaal or be eaten by a hungry bear?
The new MLS season starts on Sunday and we have an exclusiveinterview with Patrick Vieira ahead of his first game in charge of New York City. Vieira explains whyhe neverplanned to become a coach...
It's 20 years since Newcastle's great entertainers came so close to winning the Premier League. FFT remembers Kevin Keegan's daring but doomed title chasers. We speak to Sir Lesand team-mates, whileFaustino Asprilla explains how Newcastle wasn't quite the seaside resort he was expecting.
FFTinvestigates the truth behindChinese football after a mad month of spending on the likes of Ramires and Alex Teixeira, while in Action Replay we also look back at the curious competition that was the Anglo-Italian Cup. Batistuta against Southend? Hagi against Notts County? It really happened.
Wevisit four Wycombe playerssharing a house in Buckinghamshire (what could go wrong?) as well asmeeting the unknown superstars -the players who are unknown in Europe but are household names elsewhere. We've even spoken to the Bhutanese Ronaldo, better known as CG7, of course.
In Upfront, Tim Cahill tells usabout the most important games of his career, we find out about kung-fu-foot-volleyball (it's a thing, apparently) and visit a street named Football. Not Football Road. Football.
Lucas Moura is our interviewee in Planet Football as he tells us why it's a matter of time beforeParis Saint-Germain win the Champions Leagueand why he enjoys listening to, er, Phil Collins.
There's also the story of the team who were deducted 76points in Romania (all the best, lads, you're going to need it) as well as a chat with Kaka, Gerrard, Lampard, Pirlo Co. Stateside.
Swansea's set-piece specialist Gylfi Sigurdsson explains how to take the perfect free-kick in Performance,while ManchesterCity's Brazilian ace Fernando gives a defensive midfield masterclass.
The April2016 issue of FourFourTwo magazine was brought to you by Dele Alli, Riyad Mahrez, Dimitri Payet, Hector Bellerin, Patrick Vieira, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Faustino Asprilla, Les Ferdinand, Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, David Villa, Tim Cahill, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Fernando, Diego Costa, Ossie Ardiles,Kevin Doyle, Kyle Beckerman, Benny Feilhaber, Ian Wright,Sebastian Giovinco, Giovani dos Santos, Maurice Edu,Jan Aage Fjortoft, Marc Bartra, Rob Lee, Philippe Albert, John Beresford, Lee Clark, Lucas Moura, Simao Sabrosa,Ken Charlery, Don Rogers,Paul Hart, Karl Robinson, Dejan Damjanovic,Jason Jarrett, Ronnie Radford, Warren Barton, Scott Minto, Gabriel Skinner, Max Kretzschmar, Daniel Rowe, Kevin Payne, Robert Carmona,Jason McCarthy, Alex Lynch, Andrew Howard, Gareth Ainsworth, Elkeson, Itumeleng Khune, Victor Nunez, Oguzhan Ozyakupand Chencho Gyeltshen, AKAthe Bhutanese Ronaldo.Available from March 2in print,oniPadand oniPhoneorSUBSCRIBE!
featureTue, 01 Mar 2016 17:39:41 +0000Ben Clark538031 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFernando: Fernandinho and I are like brothers – but we’re not the same guy, you know?Felipe Rocha chats to Manchester Citys Octopus about battling his friend and namesake in midfield, and what his team are capable of this season...Felipe Rochahttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fernando-fernandinho-and-i-are-brothers-were-not-same-guy-you-know
When Fernando arrived in England in 2014, he joined a Manchester City squad already featuring his fellow Brazilian Fernandinho. The two holding midfielders didn’t know each other then, but now they are inseparable.
It's a friendship that their City team-mates have had plenty to say about. The duo with identical names – Fernandinho's real name is also Fernando, but goes by his nickname (the ‘inho’ suffix in Brazilian means ‘little’) – are rarely seen apart in the corridors of the Etihad or the nearby City Football Academy.
"Oh yes, many of them call us the brothers," Fernando laughs as he speaks to FourFourTwo. "You know, we are both Fernando, Brazilians, midfielders, and we are always together! At least they know we are not the same guy, right?"
On many occasions Manchester City's teamsheet isn't big enough for the both of them, with Fernandinho often getting the nod over his fellow midfield ace. Fernando might be after his pal's place in the team, but he insists that friendship comes first of all.
''Sometimes we are competitors, but we've got a different playing style," Fernando tells FFT. "The most important thing is our great relationship. Although we both want to play, we can also support each other when one of us isn't on the pitch. He's like a brother to me. Fernandinho's a great guy."
Exciting times
City haven't always had things all their own way this season, but they are still fighting on all fronts. In the Champions League they have been paired with Dynamo Kiev in the last 16, as they bid to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
It's in Europe where Fernando has the most experience, having spent five seasons in European competition with previous club Porto, winning the Europa League in 2011.
''I foresee an exciting second half of the season for Manchester City," says Fernando, known as the Octopus because he made so many interceptions at Porto that it seemed like he had more than just two legs.
''I believe Dynamo was a good draw for us. I mean, they are a very dangerous side, but we believe in our capacity to reach the quarter-finals and make history for the club."
Prem push
But while Manchester City dream of European glory, they also need to cope with the pressure of being one of the favourites to win the Premier League.
''People say that City buy great players, but just look around and you'll see several fantastic squads," Fernando says. ''But of course, our goal is to win the title."
Fernando wears the new Lava/Fireball New Balance Football Visaro boots, designed for players who ‘Make Chances’. To find out more about New Balance Football go to newbalance.com/football or follow @NBFootball on Twitter and Instagram
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featureWed, 13 Jan 2016 15:24:09 +0000Joe Brewin505587 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comKompany ready to return for City against SunderlandCaptain Vincent Kompany will return for Manchester City against Sunderland following a calf injury, along with Pablo Zabeleta and Fernando.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/kompany-ready-return-city-against-sunderland
Manchester City will welcome back captain Vincent Kompany for the Premier League Boxing Day match with Sunderland, manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed.
Kompany has been restricted to eight top-flight appearances this season due to persistent calf problems but the centre-back has inspired wonderful form when on the field, with City winning six and drawing two of these matches - conceding a solitary goal.
It has been a vastly different story for Pellegrini's team without their skipper, as Monday's 2-1 loss at title rivals Arsenal was their fifth defeat in nine outings with Kompany sidelined.
During this time they have shipped 18 goals and failed to keep a single clean sheet, with fellow centre-backs Nicolas Otamendi, Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis all making costly errors.
The loss at Arsenal left City four points shy of Arsene Wenger's men and six points behind surprise Premier League leaders Leicester City, who they visit on Tuesday, meaning Kompany's return is particularly timely for Pellegrini.
The Chilean also confirmed that right-back Pablo Zabaleta and defensive midfielder Fernando are back from respective knee and hamstring problems, leaving long-term hamstring injury victim Samir Nasri as his only remaining absentee.
Pellegrini told a pre-match news conference: "The injury situation is better. Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta and Fernando are all fit and training normally.
"We'll see the starting XI on Saturday - I have not decided on the team for the game yet. Only Samir Nasri is not fit."
Pellegrini conceded that Kompany's absence had been felt over recent weeks, with his team's title bid faltering.
But he insisted his expensively assembled squad cannot be over-reliant on individual players and stated that he will closely monitor the fitness of his captain, along with David Silva and Sergio Aguero after the attacking duo recently returned from lay-offs of their own.
"You are always missing good players – he's the captain here and if he doesn't play it's an important player we don't have in our squad," Pellegrini added.
"One of the most important things of this team is to be in the all competitions, not just depending on one player.
"After Saturday, especially with David, with Kun [Aguero], with Vincent, with Pablo - we have to see how they recover between games. I have not decided my team yet."news_articleWed, 23 Dec 2015 13:33:02 +0000Anonymous497118 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAguero ruled out of Champions League clash with JuventusManuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Sergio Aguero will miss Manchester City's Champions League match with Juventus due to a knee injuyhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/aguero-ruled-out-champions-league-clash-juventus
Manchester City will be without Sergio Aguero for their UEFA Champions League Group D clash with Juventus due to a knee injury.
The striker sustained the problem courtesy of a heavy challenge from Scott Dann during City's 1-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Doubts increased over the likelihood of the Argentina star facing Juventus when he missed training on Monday morning.
And manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed at his pre-match news conference that Aguero would sit out against the Italian champions, although hinted he could return to face West Ham on Saturday.
"Sergio is not fit for tomorrow because of a kick in his knee so we are without him," Pellegrini said.
"We will wait on him. We will see this afternoon how long it will be. I hope he will be okay for the weekend but we must wait to see the result of scans."
Pellegrini will welcome back David Silva and Raheem Sterling after they missed the match Selhurst Park with respective ankle and knee problems.news_articleMon, 14 Sep 2015 12:25:26 +0000Anonymous454136 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comAguero misses training ahead of Juventus clashAfter hobbling out of Manchester City's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, Sergio Aguero missed training ahead of Tuesday's clash with Juventus.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/aguero-misses-training-ahead-juventus-clash
Sergio Aguero did not take part in training with Manchester City on Monday ahead of their UEFA Champions League opener with Juventus.
The striker suffered a heavy blow to the knee in a challenge by Scott Dann and was substituted after 24 minutes of the Premier League leaders' 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Aguero cast further doubt on the likelihood of him facing the Italian champions on Tuesday by failing to appear as Manuel Pellegrini put his squad through their paces on Monday.
Fernandinho, an ever-present for City this season in midfield, and Samir Nasri were also not involved.
There appeared to be better news for Pellegrini as David Silva and Raheem Sterling, who missed out against Palace due to respective ankle and hamstring problems, both took part in the session.
Holding midfielder Fernando has not featured so far this term due to a groin problem but was back with the squad.news_articleMon, 14 Sep 2015 10:51:38 +0000Anonymous454106 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMan City 3-0 West Brom: Which Premier League records were broken here?A walk-in-the-park victory for Manuel Pellegrinis men, as seen by new and improved Stats Zone...http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/man-city-3-0-west-brom-which-premier-league-records-were-broken-here
A farcical game from start to finish for West Brom ended with a predictable 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The signs were ominous from the second minute when Gareth McAuley was sent off for denying Wilfried Bony a clear run on goal. The red card was fair, but its target wasn't– Craig Dawson had been the offender, making it the third mistaken identity sending off in two seasons (after Kieran Gibbs and Wes Brown for Arsenal and Sunderland respectively).
But the most surprising thing about this game was that City only won 3-0, after firing a whopping 43 shots at Boaz Myhill's goal, nine of them courtesy of Sergio Aguero, who came away unusually goalless.
It was Bony who hooked in his first Citizens goal after 27 minutes, before Fernando doubled the hosts' advantage after capitalising on Jonas Olsson's blunder from a corner.
Manuel Pellegrini's men took time to grab a third, with Myhill denying Aguero on several occasions, and Saido Berahino fluffing the Baggies' only effort of note at the other end (in the 72nd minute) with a close-range header onto the bar. But with 15 minutes to go they put the game beyond doubt when master craftsman David Silva turned in Stevan Jovetic's wayward strike.
Manchester City had 26 shots (including blocked) in the first half; the most Opta have recorded for a team before the break (going back to 2003/04).
City had 43 shots in this game (including blocked). The only team to have more in a Premier League game since 2003/04 were City themselves vs QPR on the final day of 2011/12. However, the Citizens only had 1 shot in the final 13 minutes (plus stoppage-time) that followed Silva’s goal.
City’s 16 shots on target equalled the Premier League record for a team since 2003/04 (also Man United vs Newcastle in January 2008 and Arsenal vs Blackburn in October 2009).
Boaz Myhill made 13 saves in this game; only two goalkeepers have made more in a Premier League game since 2003/04 (when Opta have this data).
Spain international Silva was a busy man of the match, with 10 efforts on goal, 11 chances created for his team-mates (all from open play) and 81 of his 92 passes in the attacking third completed.
Silva, who has scored 4 in his last 5 Premier League appearances, has 11 goals this season; the same as he managed in the 2012/13 and 2013/14 campaigns combined.
This was Manuel Pellegrini’s 100th game in charge of Manchester City in all competitions. He collected his 63rd win (D15 L22).
Gareth McAuley’s red card (shown on 1:29) was the fastest in the Premier League this season. It was the second fastest in the top four tiers this term, after Watford’s Gabriele Angella vs Bournemouth (0:48).
Wilfried Bony scored against West Brom for the first time in the English top flight; he has now scored against 16 of the 22 Premier League sides he has faced.
Fernando’s goal (Man City’s second) was the Citizens’ 1000th Premier League strike; they became the 9th team to reach the milestone.
It was Fernando’s second Premier League goal; both have come against West Brom.
Joe Hart kept his 100th Premier League clean sheet.
Fan's eye view
Steven Allweis–Man City fan
"This was just the type of game City, and Manuel Pellegrini, needed. After the sending off there was no danger of losing, and with West Brom sitting back it was purely a matter of patience. Wilfried Bony's first goal should settle him down, David Silva pulled the strings as ever, and Vincent Kompany had no trouble in defence. The perfect antidote to a problematic week."
Analyse this game with Stats Zone
featureSat, 21 Mar 2015 15:19:46 +0000Joe Brewin364485 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comTrio out of Hull trip, reveals PellegriniManuel Pellegrini has confirmed Manchester City will be without Stevan Jovetic, Fernando and Samir Nasri at Hull City on Saturday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/trio-out-hull-trip-reveals-pellegrini
Jovetic is continuing his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered in the 1-0 defeat to Stoke City last month, while Fernandohas been troubled by a groin problem andalso did not feature against Chelsea last weekend.
Nasri, an unused substitute for the 1-1 draw with Jose Mourinho's men,has a groin issue of his own, but Sergio Aguero and David Silva are both fit despite picking up respective knee and ankle knocks.
"Jovetic and Fernando are out," Pellegrinitold a news conference on Friday. "They will be ready next week.
"Nasri also has a groin problem, [but] Aguero and Silva are OK."
Pellergini is expecting a tough test against Steve Bruce's side, buthopes to see a repeat of the performance that saw City triumph 2-0 in last season's corresponding fixture, despite the early dismissal of Vincent Kompany.
"Hull is a difficult team to play away," he added. "Last season, we played really well and we won.
"I hope it will be the same."
news_articleFri, 26 Sep 2014 12:56:06 +0000Anonymous259229 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMan City wait on Fernando groin injury updateManchester City are waiting to discover the extent of a groin injury picked up by Fernando in Saturdays 1-0 loss to Stoke City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/man-city-wait-fernando-groin-injury-update
The midfielder was forced off in the first half at the Etihad Stadium and replaced by fellow Brazilian Fernandinho.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini revealed after the game thatFernando was set for further assessment.
"Fernando has a muscle problem in his groin," said the Chilean.
"We will see tomorrow [Sunday] with the doctor how strong it is."
A break for international fixtures means City are not in action again until September 13, when they visit Arsenal.
The champions suffered their first defeat of the season against Stoke, with a fine solo goal from Mame Biram Diouf earning a shock victoryfor Mark Hughes' men.
news_articleSun, 31 Aug 2014 09:38:21 +0000Anonymous242590 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFernando vows to adapt to the Premier LeagueFernando admits he is still adapting to the demands of playing for a Premier League team, but has vowed to be a success at Manchester City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fernando-vows-adapt-premier-league
The defensive midfielder joined the Premier League champions in a £12 million deal in June from Portuguese outfit Porto.
Fernando was afforded plenty of playing time in City's pre-season tour of the United States, where Manuel Pellegrini's men contested the International Champions Cup.
The 27-year-old confessed he is still getting to grips with the intensity of English football, butis confident of playing a key role at the Etihad Stadium this season.
"It's been a tough tour, it got easier as the games went along, but it was difficult," Fernando told the Manchester Evening News.
"It has been more intense [than in Portugal] and the pace is quicker.
"But I was expecting that having watched the Premier League before I came here. But I'm getting used to it, I'm adapting.
"I knew I was facing great players when I came here, I just need to keep working hard and I'll prove myself."
Fernando looks set to be joined in Manchester by ex-Porto team-mate Eliaquim Mangala.
The centre-back is reported to be on the verge of moving to the Etihad - and Fernando believes the Frenchmanwouldprove to be a shrewd signing.
He added: "I know him very well, he is quick, he is strong and if we sign him he will be a great addition to the team."
news_articleWed, 06 Aug 2014 07:35:23 +0000Anonymous225624 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFernando idolises Man City team-mate ToureManchester City signing Fernando said he is looking up to teaming up with Yaya Toure as he embarks on a career at Eastlands.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fernando-idolises-man-city-team-mate-toure
The 26-year-old defensive midfielder sealed a move to the Premier League in June, moving from Porto.
Fernando, a former Brazil Under-20 representative, said he was thrilled to team up with Ivorian midfielder Toure as City looked to defend their league crown in 2014-15.
"City are known all over the world, footballers are aware of Manchester City," Fernando said.
"It's a dream to be here and part of this great club, and I also hope to become one of the club's great players.
"The player I most admire and who I watch a lot of his games, is Yaya Toure.
"He's a great player and for me it will be an honour to play alongside him.
"I work hard, I always look for a way to win back control of the ball as quickly as possible, and give it to my colleagues.
"I consider myself a good team player and always try to be at my best on the pitch and transmit good energy to the other players."
Fernando won four league titles in Portugal, plus a UEFA Europa League crown in 2010-11, and said he understands the pressure that comes with being champions.
"We know expectations are higher, because after winning the title everyone believes they can do better," said Fernando.
"All we have to do is make sure we deliver the same performance as last season so we can win it again.
"And in the Champions League we must give our all this year.
"I left a good legacy in Porto, and hope I can repeat the same here with City, winning titles and playing regularly.
"That's what everyone can expect from me – willpower and dedication, always with eyes on trophies. That is what City and I want."
news_articleFri, 11 Jul 2014 05:05:36 +0000Anonymous210377 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMan City confirm signing of Porto's FernandoPremier League champions Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Fernando from Porto.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/man-city-confirm-signing-portos-fernando
news_articleThu, 26 Jun 2014 09:34:13 +0000Anonymous201127 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPorto announce Fernando deal with Man CityPorto have confirmed an agreement to sell Brazilian midfielder Fernando to Manchester City for a fee of 12 million.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/porto-announce-fernando-deal-man-city
The Premier Leagueclub have been linked with the 26-year-old for a number of months - with reports suggesting that they came close to signing the player in January.
In a statement to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission on Wednesday, the Primeira Liga club revealedthey had reached an agreement with the English champions.
"FC Porto...hereby informs the market that it has reached an agreement with Manchester City for the permanenttransferof the professional sports playerFernando Reges, for the amount of €15,000,000," the statement read.
Fernando, who operates primarily as adefensive midfielder, began his career with Vila Nova in his native Brazil.
He then made the move to the Estadio do Dragao in 2007 and subsequently became a key figure for the club - winning a host of domestic silverware as well as the UEFA Europa League in 2011.
Fernando agreed a new three-year deal with the club in March, which would have kept him under contract until 2017.
However, he is now poised to complete a move away, with Porto team-mateEliaquim Mangala - a reported long-term City target - potentially joining him as the French defender continues to be linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium.
news_articleWed, 25 Jun 2014 19:22:18 +0000Anonymous200604 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com